We proudly announce that the greatest and most important contemporary horror director George A. Romero is coming to the 13th edition of Grossmann Fantastic Film and Wine Festival that will take place between the 11th and the 15th of May in Ljutomer, Slovenia.
His influence on contemporary cinema cannot be overestimated. He made history already with his first feature Night of the Living Dead (1968) which has caused a revolution within genre cinema. With this film, horror has irreversibly entered the modern age and left behind all the old movies which suddenly became old fashioned, harmless and even naive. It was one of the most successful independent films in the history of cinema, while even the US Library of Congress selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry, which is an honour only seldomly given to films of that genre. Together with its sequels Dawn of the Dead (1978) and Day of the Dead (1985) it forms one of the most influential film trilogies of all time. Just take a look at today’s media landscape, you will have a hard time avoiding zombies. They became the dominant cultural fear and at the same time the essential political metaphor for the exploitation and numbness of the masses.
Last year, Night of the Living Dead has been digitally restored by New York’s Museum of Modern Art and The Film Foundation. After numerous special screenings at prestigious festivals, such as Berlinale and Venice, not attended by George A. Romero, this glorious genre milestone will be screened at this year’s Grossmann in the presence of the author. Our program will also feature a special retrospective of his films and a Master Class, and of course you’re all invited to the festival closing ceremony to honour him when he will receive the honorary Vicious Cat award.
Befitting this year’s theme, there will be a Special Makeup Effects Workshop led by none other than the legendary Sergio Stivaletti. Europe’s greatest special and makeup FX grandmaster has collaborated on more than 50 films with directors such as Dario Argento, Michele Soavi, Lamberto Bava and Gabriele Salvatores. He is also the founder of the unique special effects school Fantastic Forge which is based in Rome. More information on this special workshop will be available soon. You will be able to see the result of the workshop at our Zombie Walk which will be the most spectacular to date. It will take place on the last day of the festival. And you’re all invited!
You will be also able to participate in numerous other film workshops (also for children), attend expert lectures and book presentations and enjoy daily music events, all accompanied by exclusive wine tastings where you will help select the best wine in the festival competition. And don’t worry, free camping is provided!
Stay tuned for details regarding our festival program and guests which will keep on showing up on the festival website.